How did the Civil Disobedience Movement challenge British authority?

The Civil Disobedience Movement challenged British authority by non-violently resisting and defying British-imposed laws and regulations.

The Civil Disobedience Movement, led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, was a significant challenge to British authority in India. It was a non-violent resistance movement that aimed to defy British-imposed laws and regulations, thereby undermining the legitimacy of British rule. The movement began in 1930 with the Salt March, a protest against the British monopoly on salt production and sales. This act of defiance was a direct challenge to the British authority and set the tone for the rest of the movement.

The movement was characterised by mass demonstrations, boycotts of British goods, and refusal to pay taxes. These actions were designed to disrupt the economic and administrative machinery of the British Raj, thereby challenging its authority. The movement also sought to undermine the moral authority of the British by highlighting the injustices and exploitative nature of their rule. This was achieved through the use of non-violent resistance, which contrasted sharply with the often brutal response of the British authorities.

The Civil Disobedience Movement also challenged British authority by mobilising a broad cross-section of Indian society. It was not just the educated elite who participated in the movement, but also peasants, workers, and women. This widespread participation demonstrated the depth of opposition to British rule and further undermined its legitimacy. The movement also fostered a sense of national unity and identity among Indians, which further challenged the British divide-and-rule strategy.

Furthermore, the Civil Disobedience Movement attracted international attention and sympathy, which put pressure on the British government. The non-violent nature of the movement and the harsh response of the British authorities generated widespread criticism and led to calls for Indian independence. This international pressure further challenged the authority of the British and contributed to their eventual withdrawal from India.

In conclusion, the Civil Disobedience Movement challenged British authority in multiple ways. It defied British-imposed laws and regulations, disrupted the economic and administrative machinery of the British Raj, undermined the moral authority of the British, mobilised a broad cross-section of Indian society, and attracted international attention and sympathy. Through these actions, the movement significantly undermined the legitimacy of British rule and contributed to the eventual independence of India.